There at least two
representatives of authentic Shaolin boxing. One, found at the Temple itself, has ten "mobile" form as its core. The other also has a core of ten forms but with fixed routines. In the US one of these lines of descent from the Northern style is through Kwong Wing Lam. The other, represented here, flows through Wong Jack Man (Yes, who fought Bruce Lee.) The movements are open and strong, the look of the forms beautiful and classcial. Demonstrations on this page come from the DVD author and teacher, Scott Jensen.A little on Scott Jensen: Peter Ralston was his first instructor in traditional Chinese martial arts and began with Xing Yi Quan. Wong Jackman taught Xing Yi Quan, Tai Chi Chuan, Lohan (Buddha Palm), weapons and was known for Bak Sil Lum.
Li Gui Chang learned his art from masters who fought for a living before world war II and survived decades of turmoil in China using his skills and wisdom. In Xing Yi Quan, we love when the transition from stillness to movement is instantaneous.
Liang Ke Qian His Xing Yi Quan had immense power but looked softer than Tai Chi. Liang Ke Qian had a deep knowledge of the history and theory of Xing Yi Quan and had exchanged knowledge with many of the top Xing Masters alive.
DVD#22073 Lian Bu Quan (Connected Steps Boxing)
Scott Jensen
Single DVD, English, 43+ minutes, $39.95 (10% discount for ordering two or more Jensen DVD's)
In the Northern Shaolin style we start with this famous and eminently do-able form. LBQ concentrates on the Shaolin idea of “One step, one hit” training. Lian Bu generally precedes Tan Tui 10 Road Boxing.
This DVD is nicely photographed and some of the “news desk” floating letters and dramatic zooming shots adds a bit of fun to the whole routine. The steps and strikes are serious and accurate. This DVD is from the Wong Jack Man branch of the Bak Sil Lum style as opposed to the Kwong Wing Lam series; slight variations, clear instruction.
DVD#22074 Duan Da (Short Strike)
Scott Jensen
Single DVD, English, 34+ minutes, $49.95 (10% discount for ordering two or more Jensen DVD's)
Here we have a nice, clear representation of the foundational form for Bak Sil Lum. Though any of the ten core forms could be the learned first, this shortest and highly structured set introduces the core of this style’s fundamental movements. It is also a fine performance tao lu. You should expect tornado, broom, heel raising and other Northern style kicks mixed with punches that are strong, straight and short, as one might expect from Northern Shaolin and the title of the form. This form is introduced after the Tan Tui and is the most recognized and adopted set of the Northern Shaolin system. Many styles have just this one form to represent their lineage to Shaolin.
DVD#22075 Mei Hua (Plum Flower Boxing)
Scott Jensen
Single DVD, English, 48+ minutes, $49.95 (10% discount for ordering two or more Jensen DVD's)
The material presentation is clean and straightforward, aided by Sifu Jensen’s wide range of motion, accurate striking and blocking postures, and straight voiceover for instructional breakdowns. This is an example of Wong Jack Man’s lineage which includes Rick Wing and Scott Jensen.
DVD#22072 I Jin Jing Conditioning (Muscle Change Classic)
Scott Jensen
Single DVD, English, 34+ minutes, $49.95 (10% discount for ordering two or more Jensen DVD's)
This is a version of one of the most popular and famous of Qi Gong routines. It is said to be connected to the direct teachings of Bodhidharma when he visited the Shaolin Temple in China in the 6th century. There is a crossed flavor of Indian Yoga and Chinese Qi Gong here. Numerous exercises all translatable to martial studies. This is a good routine with some challenging and some relatively easy movements. Instruction is voiceover and very clear.
Bagua Zhang Conditioning
Tai Chi Chuan Old Yang Form